Tulane University

My wife is considering having bypass surgery and I was wondering what is the price of surgery at Tulane University(cash payment) and who does it. I was wondering has anyone had a revision done over there and what is the price? Fred

Don't know what the price is there,, or who actually does them there now,, I know Dr. Scott was doing them at one time but I think he went to dallas,, Be careful who you get there and make sure its not students, that was my only concern in checking them out,, I know several people on here used other doctors and paid cash do if you need info on any of them , ask away,, I think average cash pay for RNY is about $32-50k and LAP $12=23k good luck

I dunno about Tulane, but the FANTASTIC surgeon Dr. Richardson is doing them at Ochsner (Lap RNY) for $25K... He has incredible results. I could not say enough good things about him. 504-842-4070

forgot to say: Ochsner's includes all the testing, if your health insurance covers the testing you can get it for $22K. Ochsner is now a COE and is completely outfitted with bariatric sized equipment (wheelchairs, rooms they call ADA rooms with wider doorways for wheelchairs & bariatric beds) larger MRI machines, etc. Not to mention I worked there and know the nurses... and I would be completely confident with 99% of them taking care of me or a family member.... heck, it's where I hope to get my surgery. Kat

I'm glad to hear that you think so highly of Dr. Richardson's surgery results. He did my RNY in December, and I'm very happy with my results. I haven't heard too many people on this board mention him, so I'm glad to hear it from you. I hope he does your surgery as well. Glad to hear that Ochsner is now a COE for United. I have United but my policy excludes weight loss surgery, so I was cash pay.

He's absolutely wonderful... I worked with his postops at Ochsner for nearly a year, and I did not see any of his original surgery patients come back from his complications (except two who didn't drink enough, not his fault, they weren't compliant with instructions). His orders always made sense, and if I didn't understand the reasoning at first, it was always explained to me... I can't tell you how great his postop nurses are too! I worked side by side with them for a long time, and they are some fantastic professionals Anyway, I can babble on about him non-stop... he's very good... He's also very good with doing revisions of other surgeon's "mistakes" too! I'm quite comfortable with his work... and to me, anyone that can stand up to my professional opinion as a nurse... can do my surgery He seems a little "dry" personality at first, but once he's talked to you, and knows who you are, he's very caring about his patients. I was very impressed that he saw me at work (two days after meeting me at the seminar) and he remembered me and waved to me... most of the docs just kinda don't acknowledge us travel nurses (we come and go every 3 months... too fast to make friends). Oh, and FYI, I know at least 4 other nurses who had him do their RNY... and they're now a "skinny mini" too Says a lot when even your staff is convinced of your skill and trusts you to cut on them too! In my opinion, you made a great choice

Kat, thanks for the reply. Aren't you seeing Dr. Richardson this week? Please keep us posted. Good luck.

Yep, having a bad time with my gallbladder, seeing him Thursday, hoping he will give me a date ASAP (getting RNY cash pay with GB removal)... So will be starting the 2 week liquid diet as soon as I get more protein drinks. Kat

Hi Freddy I had a revision of sort. I had a gastroplasty (stomach stapeling) done in 1979 and recently had a RNY bypass done by a group of surgeons in Covington who also practice in Metairie. I would recommend them as they are excellent. My Dr was Dr. Michael Thomas with Surgical Specialists of Louisiana. I was cash pay and the total cost with them is $18,700. You have to also pay for you first consult and psych exam. All other pre testing is coded so my insurance paid for that. Again, I could say nothing but positive things about Dr Thomas. I research all over the south looking for the doctor for me and found him right here. I am 58 yrs old and was 350 lbs and had goobs of scar tissue. He was able to do my surgery LAP--and I have had no problems. They do the surgery for the cash price at a new surgical hospital in Slidell--Southern Surgical Hosp. Great expecience there also. Private rooms great care. It is bariatic friendly. bj

hi fred, im a self pay, i went to Dr. lavin in covington 19,000, it was worth every bit of it, and guess what my work insurance now pays for it ,, only bright side of me paying for it, is i got to go to Dr.Lavin, that in itself was worth it, i havn't had any complications. my surgery was nov 16,2005 and lost 90lbs, next week will be 5months post op... i don't know if i would have it in new orleans.. good luck rhonda